"Getting rid of bin Laden is good for the cause of peace worldwide but what counts is to overcome the discourse and the methods -- the violent methods -- that were created and encouraged by bin Laden and others in the world," PA spokesman Ghassan Khatib said.

Palestinians hit the headlines after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New
York and Washington, carried out by al Qaida, when a small group were
filmed celebrating in East Jerusalem.

At the time, there were bigger demonstrations in the Gaza Strip in
support of the attacks. Palestinians partly blame their national plight
on US support for Israel.

However, the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat banned such public
displays and voiced sympathy for the dead in the United States.

In Ramallah, the PA's view was shared by Ahmed Saleh, a 58-year-old
retired Palestinian. "The world is better without bin Laden. It has
removed a pillar of evil from the world," he said. "His heinous actions
were exploited to allow hostile policies toward the Arabs and Muslims."

But Umm Mohammed, a veiled woman, said she hoped news of bin Laden's
death was a lie. "God willing, he will continue to conquer the West,"
she said.

In Gaza, Hamas now faces a challenge from al Qaida-inspired groups that
consider it too moderate. One such group was behind last month's killing
of a pro-Palestinian Italian activist in the territory.